What is Kingdom Now teaching?

[Quasar92]

Kingdom Now theology is a theological belief within the Charismatic movement of Protestant Christianity, mainly in the United States. Kingdom Now proponents believe that God lost control over the world to Satan when Adam and Eve sinned. Since then, the theology goes, God has been trying to reestablish control over the world by seeking a special group of believers—known variously as "covenant people," "overcomers," or "Joel's army"—and that through these people, social institutions (including governments and laws) would be brought under God's authority. The belief is that, since believers are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit that indwelt Jesus, we have all authority in heaven and on the earth; we have the power to believe for and speak into existence things that are not, and thus we can bring about the Kingdom Age.

Among the most controversial tenets of the theology is the belief that secular or non-Christian society will never succeed. Hence, Kingdom Now opposes a separation of church and state. Other beliefs include the idea that, as the Body of Christ, we are Christ. In other words, we have His divine nature. Proponents of Kingdom Now teaching also don’t believe in the rapture, which is explained away as a feeling of rapture or excitement when the Lord returns to receive the kingdom from our hands. In other words, everyone will be "caught up" emotionally when He returns. Also among the unbiblical beliefs is the idea that all prophecies regarding future Israel—both in the Old and New Testaments—actually apply to the church.

Kingdom Now theology sees the second coming of Jesus in two stages: first through the flesh of the believers (and in particular the flesh of today's apostles and prophets), and then in person to take over the kingdom handed to Him by those who have been victorious (the "overcomers"). Prior to the second coming, overcomers must purge the earth of all evil influences. Kingdom Now claims that Jesus cannot return until all His enemies have been put under the feet of the church (including death, presumably).

Although there are people who believe in some, but not all, of Kingdom Now teachings, they do have in common the beliefs outlined above, all of which are outside of mainstream Christianity and all of which deny Scripture. First, the idea that God has “lost control” of anything is ludicrous, especially coupled with the idea that He needs human beings to help Him regain that control. He is the sovereign Lord of the universe, complete and holy, perfect in all His attributes. He has complete control over all things—past, present and future—and nothing happens outside His command. Everything is proceeding according to His divine plan and purpose, and not one molecule is moving on its own accord. “For Jehovah of Hosts has purposed, and who shall reverse it? And His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27). As for men having “the power to believe for and speak into existence things that are not,” that power belongs to God alone, who doesn’t take kindly to those who would attempt to usurp it from Him. “Remember this, and be a man; return it on your heart, O sinners. Remember former things from forever; for I am God, and no other is God, even none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the past things which were not done, saying, ‘My purpose shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken, I will also cause it to come; I have formed; yes, I will do it” (Isa 46:8-11).

Kingdom Now’s denial of the rapture of the church is also unbiblical. The explanation that the rapture is nothing more than the people of God being caught up in rapturous feelings ignores the fact that such an application of the term "caught up" is strictly an idiomatic expression peculiar to English, not Greek. "I was all 'caught up' in the movie (or other excitement)” is not the equivalent of harpazo, used to describe the catching up bodily into heaven in 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; and Revelation 12:5. The word is also used in Acts 8:39, where Phillip is bodily "caught away" by the Spirit to another location.

As for our being Christ and having divine nature, we are not Christ, although we do partake of His divine nature at salvation with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:4). But Christ is the second Person of the Godhead, and no one becomes God. This is a lie from the father of lies, Satan, who first told it in the Garden of Eden when he tempted Eve with “you shall be as God” (Genesis 3:5).

The idea that the church has replaced Israel and that the fulfillment of the prophecies to Israel pertain to the church is known as Replacement theology, and it is unbiblical. The promises to Israel will be fulfilled in Israel, not in the church. God’s blessings to Israel are eternal, and they are without recall.

Finally, the second coming of Christ will be when He, not men, defeats His enemies and puts all things under His feet. The description of the second coming in Revelation 19 is the description of a mighty warrior who comes to put all things to right, not of one who comes to an earth already cleaned up and ready for Him to rule. Verse 15 is clear: “And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, so that with it He should strike the nations. And He will shepherd them with a rod of iron. And He treads the winepress of the wine of the anger and of the wrath of Almighty God.” If the earth has been “purged of all evil influences,” as the Kingdom Now-ers believe, why does Christ need a sharp sword to strike the nations, and why does the anger and wrath of God still exist against them?

Kingdom Now theology is another in a long line false, unbiblical, and misleading philosophies of men whose vain imaginations seek to humanize God and deify man. It is to be avoided.

Recommended Resource: Counterfeit Revival by Hank Hanegraaff.

Source: gotquestions.org


Quasa92r

 

[Baby Cottontail]

Kingdom Now theology is a theological belief within the Charismatic movement of Protestant Christianity, mainly in the United States. Kingdom Now proponents believe that God lost control over the world to Satan when Adam and Eve sinned. Since then, the theology goes, God has been trying to reestablish control over the world by seeking a special group of believers—known variously as "covenant people," "overcomers," or "Joel's army"—and that through these people, social institutions (including governments and laws) would be brought under God's authority. The belief is that, since believers are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit that indwelt Jesus, we have all authority in heaven and on the earth; we have the power to believe for and speak into existence things that are not, and thus we can bring about the Kingdom Age.

Among the most controversial tenets of the theology is the belief that secular or non-Christian society will never succeed. Hence, Kingdom Now opposes a separation of church and state. Other beliefs include the idea that, as the Body of Christ, we are Christ. In other words, we have His divine nature. Proponents of Kingdom Now teaching also don’t believe in the rapture, which is explained away as a feeling of rapture or excitement when the Lord returns to receive the kingdom from our hands. In other words, everyone will be "caught up" emotionally when He returns. Also among the unbiblical beliefs is the idea that all prophecies regarding future Israel—both in the Old and New Testaments—actually apply to the church.

Kingdom Now theology sees the second coming of Jesus in two stages: first through the flesh of the believers (and in particular the flesh of today's apostles and prophets), and then in person to take over the kingdom handed to Him by those who have been victorious (the "overcomers"). Prior to the second coming, overcomers must purge the earth of all evil influences. Kingdom Now claims that Jesus cannot return until all His enemies have been put under the feet of the church (including death, presumably).

Although there are people who believe in some, but not all, of Kingdom Now teachings, they do have in common the beliefs outlined above, all of which are outside of mainstream Christianity and all of which deny Scripture. First, the idea that God has “lost control” of anything is ludicrous, especially coupled with the idea that He needs human beings to help Him regain that control. He is the sovereign Lord of the universe, complete and holy, perfect in all His attributes. He has complete control over all things—past, present and future—and nothing happens outside His command. Everything is proceeding according to His divine plan and purpose, and not one molecule is moving on its own accord. “For Jehovah of Hosts has purposed, and who shall reverse it? And His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27). As for men having “the power to believe for and speak into existence things that are not,” that power belongs to God alone, who doesn’t take kindly to those who would attempt to usurp it from Him. “Remember this, and be a man; return it on your heart, O sinners. Remember former things from forever; for I am God, and no other is God, even none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the past things which were not done, saying, ‘My purpose shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken, I will also cause it to come; I have formed; yes, I will do it” (Isa 46:8-11).

Kingdom Now’s denial of the rapture of the church is also unbiblical. The explanation that the rapture is nothing more than the people of God being caught up in rapturous feelings ignores the fact that such an application of the term "caught up" is strictly an idiomatic expression peculiar to English, not Greek. "I was all 'caught up' in the movie (or other excitement)” is not the equivalent of harpazo, used to describe the catching up bodily into heaven in 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; and Revelation 12:5. The word is also used in Acts 8:39, where Phillip is bodily "caught away" by the Spirit to another location.

As for our being Christ and having divine nature, we are not Christ, although we do partake of His divine nature at salvation with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:4). But Christ is the second Person of the Godhead, and no one becomes God. This is a lie from the father of lies, Satan, who first told it in the Garden of Eden when he tempted Eve with “you shall be as God” (Genesis 3:5).

The idea that the church has replaced Israel and that the fulfillment of the prophecies to Israel pertain to the church is known as Replacement theology, and it is unbiblical. The promises to Israel will be fulfilled in Israel, not in the church. God’s blessings to Israel are eternal, and they are without recall.

Finally, the second coming of Christ will be when He, not men, defeats His enemies and puts all things under His feet. The description of the second coming in Revelation 19 is the description of a mighty warrior who comes to put all things to right, not of one who comes to an earth already cleaned up and ready for Him to rule. Verse 15 is clear: “And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, so that with it He should strike the nations. And He will shepherd them with a rod of iron. And He treads the winepress of the wine of the anger and of the wrath of Almighty God.” If the earth has been “purged of all evil influences,” as the Kingdom Now-ers believe, why does Christ need a sharp sword to strike the nations, and why does the anger and wrath of God still exist against them?

Kingdom Now theology is another in a long line false, unbiblical, and misleading philosophies of men whose vain imaginations seek to humanize God and deify man. It is to be avoided.

Recommended Resource: Counterfeit Revival by Hank Hanegraaff.

Source: gotquestions.org


Quasa92r

I attended a church (not in my denomination) that promoted this kind of theology, although not to the full level as discussed here. It was because of this, that I decided that I could not continue attending that church.

If you'd like, I can share what my experience was like.

 

[Quasar92]

I attended a church (not in my denomination) that promoted this kind of theology, although not to the full level as discussed here. It was because of this, that I decided that I could not continue attending that church.

If you'd like, I can share what my experience was like.

Please do.


Quasar92

 

[Baby Cottontail]

Please do.


Quasar92

I will break this down into several different posts, so that it isn't one really long thing. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. If none, then just say, "continue" so that I know you've read what I posted. I just don't want to give you a wall of text to read all at once.

Okay, so I started attending this other church in my community (in addition to the church that I grew up in) because I had just gotten out of college, and I was looking for a church that would really encourage me to grow in my relationship with Christ. My sister had attended the youth group at this particular church with her best friend, and she recommended it to me.

I went, and I was really impressed. The people would pray for one another, and they seemed to be really serious about their faith, and they believed that God could use anyone for His glory. They would pray for one another after the service, and they would talk. The worship music was also attractive to me because it was in the same style that my friends played while I was at college, many of the songs being the same.

Their preaching seemed to be Bible based as well. They preached with conviction, and the preaching would be anywhere from half an hour to about 45 minutes or so. They sang for about the same amount of time before the sermon, and I felt like I could truly worship God there.

They had small groups in which they encouraged their members to get involved. People would talk about their faith journeys with one another, and they would encourage people in the spiritual gifts that they saw in one another.

At first, this seemed like almost a perfect church. It seemed to follow exactly how I understood the church was supposed to be like from reading the New Testament. I could tell that the people really loved one another and loved Jesus Christ.

They did believe that all of the spiritual gifts that are listed in the Bible are for today, which I didn't have a problem with. The only problem was that they gave personal prophecies to one another, and to the whole church, without really any way to verify that it was actually from God. The prophecies they would give would be fairly general -- something like, "God is going to really use you for His glory." They were things that any Christian would want to hear.

I'll stop here to see if you have any questions or comments.

 

[Baby Cottontail]

Since you liked my post, I'm going to assume that you read it, and so I can continue.

Okay, so I really liked this little church. It was a part of a bigger group of churches, though not a denomination. There was some accountability there, though, and there was a shared statement of faith, and some other things that they held in common with other churches in their association.

I liked that church so well that when I went off to graduate school, I attended another church that was in this same association. This church was solidly Bible based, and the pastor had such reverence, and he preached the gospel every week. We would go out and help the community, and it was great.

The problem is that within this particular association of churches, so much depends on the pastor and the leaders of the congregation. There is less oversight than a denomination has, and there is more room for people to go off on tangents.

At approximately the same time, both the pastor at the congregation back home, and the pastor at the congregation in my graduate school town stepped down from being the senior pastor. The congregations each received a new pastor, and the old senior pastors from the churches no longer attended (which makes sense -- in order to give the new pastor a chance to actually pastor.)

A similar situation developed at both of these two churches. Neither pastor really valued the gospel like the previous pastors did. They thought they did, but their emphasis was completely different.

Another problem with this association is that they refuse to actually condemn any teachers or any theology -- although they have taken action against some congregations in the past -- including asking them to leave over a difference of theology and practice. However, in general, they have not condemned certain things, nor certain teachings.

So...the new pastors brought in a bit of Kingdom Now theology into both congregations. At the church back home this was worse.

I'm going to stop right here, and make sure that you have read this before continuing. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to say.

 

[com7fy8]

Kingdom Now proponents believe that God lost control over the world to Satan when Adam and Eve sinned. Since then, the theology goes, God has been trying to reestablish control over the world by seeking a special group of believers—known variously as "covenant people," "overcomers," or "Joel's army"—and that through these people, social institutions (including governments and laws) would be brought under God's authority.

God Almighty has never lost control. But He is managing evil to where it is going, to the flaming sewer which burns with fire and brimstone.

And I understand His main focus is conforming us to the image of His Son > Romans 8:29. So, in us is where He is mainly concerned about changing things. Plus, Jesus says God's kingdom is in us, it does not come with observation > Luke 17:20-21.

The belief is that, since believers are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit that indwelt Jesus, we have all authority in heaven and on the earth; we have the power to believe for and speak into existence things that are not, and thus we can bring about the Kingdom Age.

Jesus on earth had all power and authority, and He did not change this evil world to God's way. But there have been a lot of things cultural which have developed, but then children of the cultural developments have gone into wrong and destructive things, because they have found out that copy-catting outward cultural kingdoms does not give them real satisfaction and fulfillment of God's love. And they are in weakness so they can give in to various self-degrading things which are anti-love; they do not know how to relate well in a close relationship . . . even after all the Christian cultural stuff they have been brought up with.

So . . . in the United States, we already have had a Christian culture, but it did not work to keep producing children who are sound in God's love. So, setting up some other law system can likely breed more people who discover that outward control and copy-catting will not help them deeply, and then they can go with peer pressure and discover how well that works

God uses example >

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

1 Peter 3:1-4 shows how example can be used by God . . . while we are being pleasing to Him, examples in the sight of God, by having "the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (in 1 Peter 3:4)

 

[Hank77]

Now teaching also don’t believe in the rapture,

Also among the unbiblical beliefs is the idea that all prophecies regarding future Israel—both in the Old and New Testaments—actually apply to the church.

Recommended Resource: Counterfeit Revival by Hank Hanegraaff.

Interesting that you would recommend reading Hank's book seeing that Hank does not believe in a 'secret' rapture or in the separation of Israel and the church.
http://www.equip.org/hank_speaks_out/the-rapture/
http://www.equip.org/article/does-the-bible-make-a-distinction-between-israel-and-the-church/

 

[Quasar92]

Interesting that you would recommend reading Hank's book seeing that Hank does not believe in a 'secret' rapture or in the separation of Israel and the church.
http://www.equip.org/hank_speaks_out/the-rapture/
http://www.equip.org/article/does-the-bible-make-a-distinction-between-israel-and-the-church/

Our focus was invited to the Kingdom Now theology and not the rapture of the Church,


Quasar92

 

[Hank77]

Our focus was invited to the Kingdom Now theology and not the rapture of the Church,


Quasar92

I understand that.
I'm just surprised that you would recommend one of his books seeing that you believe that some of his beliefs are unBiblical. But a good book is a good book and I'm sure this one is. I'm glad that he is writing about this subject, it needs to be said.

 

[tturt]

Yeshua talked about the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven such as in Matt 4:17; 5:33; 5:10; 5:19; 5:20; 6:33; 7:21; 8:11; 10:7; 11:11;12:28; 19:24; 21:31; 21:43.

The Kingdom of God/heaven has come (Matt 12:28), is come (Luk 11:2), and will come (I Cor 15:24).

 

[Baby Cottontail]

Yeshua talked about the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven such as in Matt 4:17; 5:33; 5:10; 5:19; 5:20; 6:33; 7:21; 8:11; 10:7; 11:11;12:28; 19:24; 21:31; 21:43.

The Kingdom of God/heaven has come (Matt 12:28), is come (Luk 11:2), and will come (I Cor 15:24).

Kingdom Now theology is different from simply believing that the kingdom came with Jesus' first coming. What you're referring to is the idea of the "now and the not yet" -- that we're in an in between time. I think most believers would affirm this.

Kingdom Now theology is different from this and is very specific, and is part of the Latter Rain theology that has been accepted by many in the hyper-charismatic movement.

 

[Baby Cottontail]

Continuing on from post #5 --

So, the new pastor had attended a church that was led by, and closely involved with Dutch Sheets. I really can't do this without naming a name in the NAR movement (New Apostolic Reformation.) Dutch Sheets is heavily involved in Kingdom Now teaching.

Anyway, this new pastor admired Dutch Sheets and mentioned him positively in his sermon. He recommended books by him. He started preaching about how Adam and Eve lost dominion over creation at the Fall, and how Satan has it, and how we need to steal it back from Satan.

He talked about "birthing" prayer. He made some comment about how, when we pray, we are changing what happens on earth in the spiritual realm by birthing something into existence. He went so far as to suggest that that is what Elijah did in the OT. He suggested that Elijah had to get into a birthing position, and literally "birth" his prayer out so that it would happen on earth.

This pastor also showed favorites to those who held to the same theology that he did. He invited a few people to "give words" to the whole congregation during the sermon about how we needed to take dominion back from Satan here on earth.

Manifest Sons of God doctrine is closely related to Kingdom Now theology, and so he also taught some of this doctrine as well.

He also led the congregation in guided imagery, and told us to imagine Jesus talking to us, etc.

The church also aired the Voice of the Apostles Conference via Internet streaming to church members. (The Voice of the Apostles Conference is put on by Bill Johnson's Bethel Church in Redding, CA.) This conference featured several big names in the NAR/hyper-charismatic movement.

I shared my theological concerns with the leaders in the church, and they wouldn't listen. I ended up having to leave that church. I didn't like the direction the church was going in, and I didn't like the theology that was being promoted.

 

[Aseyesee]

He has complete control over all things—past, present and future—and nothing happens outside His command.

Though I am in complete agreement with this statement, it would also mean God created Lucifer to fall, so that there would be a serpent in the garden of God to an end that he purposed in himself.

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Kingdom Now theology is also known as Postmillennialism. It is also closely related to Dominionism.

 

[Baby Cottontail]

Kingdom Now theology is also known as Postmillennialism. It is also closely related to Dominionism.

Yes, Dominionism is definitely closely related, and I would say, is an essential part of Kingdom Now.

 

[Quasar92]

Yeshua talked about the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven such as in Matt 4:17; 5:33; 5:10; 5:19; 5:20; 6:33; 7:21; 8:11; 10:7; 11:11;12:28; 19:24; 21:31; 21:43.

The Kingdom of God/heaven has come (Matt 12:28), is come (Luk 11:2), and will come (I Cor 15:24).

Jesus kingdom on earth has not yet taken place, and won't until after a nimber of other events take place before. Such as: The rapture of the Church, the seven year tribulation, Jesus second coming which ends the seven year tribulation. Throwing Satan into the Abyss for 1,000 years, and the first resurrection takes place. Then Jesus 1,000 year reign on earth will begin.

If you believe God's kingdom has already come, why does Jesus ask us to pray the Lord's prayer in Mt.6:9-13?


Quasar92

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Kingdom Now theology is also known as Postmillennialism. It is also closely related to Dominionism.

Being a Pretereist myself, I ascribe more to the view of Amillianism.....and I hope that view expands more widely.
Of course that might put a dent in the sales of rapture and end times books and movies

Postmillennialism - Wikipedia
Although some postmillennialists hold to a literal millennium of 1,000 years, other postmillennialists see the thousand years more as a figurative term for a long period of time (similar in that respect to amillennialism)...........

Postmillennialism also teaches that the forces of Satan will gradually be defeated by the expansion of the Kingdom of God throughout history up until the second coming of Christ. This belief that good will gradually triumph over evil has led proponents of postmillennialism to label themselves "optimillennialists" in contrast to "pessimillennial" premillennialists and amillennialists.

Matthew 21:43
Therefore I am saying to ye, that the Kingdom of God shall be being taken-away from ye
and it shall be being given to a Nation doing the fruits of it. [Reve 12:8]

Reve 12:8
and not He is strong, neither place found of them still in the Heaven. [Matt 21:43/Reve 20:11]
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now! the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come,
for the accuser of our brothers[fn] has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

Dan 7:27
and the kingdom, and the dominion, even the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heavens, is given to the people -- the saints of the Most High,
His kingdom is a kingdom age-during, and all dominions do serve and obey Him.


The Destruction of Jerusalem - George Peter Holford, 1805AD